Guns International #: 102674185
Seller's Inventory #: 240097
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Guns International #: 102674185
Category - Antique Rifles - Cartridge
- Kentucky Rifles
Rare 1 of <1000 GRANVILLE HENRY Rifle Octagonal Barrel Crescent Buttplate
c1880s Single Shot Swivel Breech in .22 Rimfire
Description: Rare 1 of <1000 GRANVILLE HENRY Rifle Octagonal Barrel Crescent Buttplate c1880s Single Shot Swivel Breech in .22 Rimfire Here we present an antique Swivel Breech Single Shot Rifle in .22 Rimfire by Granville Henry, made circa the 1880s in Boulton, Pennsylvania. Granville Henry was an active gunmaker between 1872 and 1896. The Henry family were multigenerational gunmakers who produced guns in flintlock, then percussion, then in metallic cartridge. Per Robert A. Sadler, “It certainly appears that Henry was one of the major arms contractors for the U.S. government, at least until the period of production of the 1816 musket. The breadth of their efforts includes the Revolutionary War involvement, U.S. government contracts, U.S. Naval contracts, arms for the Indian trade, fur trade, the Civil War, foreign arms sales, privateer arms sales and general public arms sales as well as manufacturing parts for all of the above.” One of their major partnerships was with Tryon of Philadelphia, a major arms dealer throughout the 19th Century. Of Scottish descent, William Henry I was born in 1729 and seems to be the first one to enter the trade, apprenticing to Matthew Roesser in Lancaster County, PA. His history alone is incredibly fascinating and he was himself an officer during the French & Indian War, rubbed shoulders with George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, a gunmaker during the Revolution, an inventor, was a delegate at the Continental Congress in 1784 and 1785, and held many local offices and positions is Lancaster during his life. His progeny were no slouches themselves and left their mark on the United States as well. Granville Henry was the 5th generation of gunmakers in this family. He was born in 1834. He enlisted to fight in the American Civil War but fell ill and returned home. He was a partner with his father James in the J. Henry & Son company and was President of the nearby Nazareth Hall Academy where he had been educated. Though his ancestors had worked with flintlocks and percussion muskets, long rifles, and shotguns, he was putting the new metallic cartridge technology to use. This swivel breech rifle is just one example. This one is chambered in .22 Rimfire and would have paired well with a Smith & Wesson No. 1 Revolver. The line of Henry gunmakers seems to end here, being outclassed in the production of arms by the likes of Winchester simply by virtue of their ability to scale their lines. Production continued in Boulton until about 1907 and Granville passed in 1912. This is a rare rifle. Not many at all were made, some estimates are fewer than 1,000. The top latch is reminiscent of the Triplett & Scott Patent Carbine/Rifle made by Meriden Mfg. during the war, though it is single shot rather than a repeater. It also utilized the .22 Rimfire which was an up and coming cartridge at this time. One can see the resemblance between the long rifles made by this family of old with its octagonal barrel, fixed rear sight, and crescent butt plate. Included with this gun is a cut out copy of the American Rifleman from a February of 1987 magazine article “A Rifle From Another Henry” by Ben Johnson, and a 1988 copyright dated copy of “Henry of Boulton, a Pennsylvania Gunmaking Family and it’s Firearms” by the Jacobsburg Historical Society. The overall condition is good. Light gray patina throughout. The action is strong. The bore is in good condition with strong rifling. The stock shows old loss and some splitting on the fore end closest to the breech. Grafted replacement at the toe of the stock with some repair and refinishing evident, especially around the wrist. Barrel is 24-1/4 inches. Caliber: .22 Rimfire Overall condition as seen in photos. Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail! ancestryguns $1800 #240097 Price: $1,800.00 Buy Now Antique: Yes Contact Seller |
Guns International #: 102674185
Seller's Inventory #: 240097
Guns International #: 102674185
Seller's Inventory #: 240097